GOSHEN — McKenzie Hill and Sarah Hunt knew shortly after meeting eight-and-a-half years ago that wedding bells would ring for them someday.

That day came Wednesday, June 25.

The Goshen couple started getting texts and phone calls from excited friends Wednesday afternoon after an Indiana judge struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. They called the Elkhart County clerk’s office to find out more, but there was little information.

At that point, County Clerk Wendy Hudson was waiting on official direction from the state before issuing marriage license applications to same-sex couples. She later said the county courts would be open Thursday morning, June 26, and accepting applications from same-sex partners.

But instead of playing a waiting game, Hill and Hunt drove to St. Joseph County and filled out an application there. They’re getting married in their backyard Wednesday evening with a small group of friends.

“Our love is the same as a heterosexual couple’s love,” Hunt said. “It’s just two people who fell in love. That’s how we see it. We don’t see it any different, and it would be awesome if Indiana would see it that way.”

Hunt worries that it’s just a matter of time before the judge’s decision is appealed, but still, she is hopeful.

Hill and Hunt have a daughter, Elsie, who was born through artificial insemination. Elsie, who will be 2 years old in July, was diagnosed with diabetes one day before her first birthday. Hill said to be legally married to Hunt would allow better health insurance options for their daughter.

Marriage has emotional significance for their daughter as well, Hunt added.

“As she grows up, we don’t want her to think of herself as being different because she has two moms,” Hunt said. “Right now, with the way the world is, it’s becoming more and more of an accepted thing. There are more and more same-sex couples having kids and raising kids.”

Hill is happy to see the same-sex marriage issue “getting the attention it deserves” in Indiana.

“I’m definitely hopeful,” Hunt added. “Even if it does get some sort of stop to it, at least this happened. Somebody recognized that it’s against our rights and we should be allowed to be married.”